Joint

ABSTRACT

A joint having a metal or plastic core and a metal or plastic outer shell. The core has two studs extending in a direction of an axis of rotation and arranged vertically at 180° from each other. The outer shell consists of two half shells, each having a reinforcing segment. A bore with a bore base is provided on each reinforcing segment. Two cup-shaped elastomeric pads are located between the core and the outer shell and are insulated from one another. The elastomeric pads surround the studs which penetrate the bore in the reinforcing segments. A ratio of the stud diameter to the pad thickness is specified.

Applicants claim priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 of GERMAN Application No.100 49 247.9 filed on Sep. 28, 2000. Applicants also claim priorityunder 35 U.S.C. §365 of PCT/DE01/03512 filed on Sep. 13, 2001. Theinternational application under PCT article 21(2) was not published inEnglish.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a joint with an axis of rotation X that iscomprising at least the following components:

a core made of metal or plastic (for example based on polyphenyleneether);

an outer shell also made of metal or plastic; as well as

a pad made of elastomeric material that is arranged between the core andthe outer shell.

The material metal is of special importance for the core and the outershell, forming a metal-and rubber joint (Megi® joint).

Constructions made with non-elastomeric materials are frequentlyemployed for permitting large angles of torsion in joints. The joint isembodied in this connection in the form of a ball-like, sliding pairing(metal/sliding material), so that mobility is possible around all axes.

2. Prior Art

An elastic joint with the structure of the type of joint specified aboveis described in patent document DE 34 19 967 C2. Provision is made inthis patent for a core with a belly extending all around. The pad madeof elastomeric material, which is extending all around as well, isclamped between the cylindrical outer shell (sleeve) and the core. Thejoint can be stressed both radially and axially, whereby deflections andangles of distortion of the type occurring in universal joints, arepossible as well.

3. Summary of the Invention

Now, for the purpose of permitting large angles of torsion around onlyone axis, the aim is to provide a joint of the type specified above,which, in addition to realizing large angles of torsion around one axis,is capable of absorbing high forces perpendicular to the axis ofrotation X as well. Such high forces occur as a result of the resettingmoment occurring when the joint is subjected to torsional strain.

Said problem is solved according to the invention in that

the core is provided with two studs arranged vertically at 180° fromeach other and extending in the direction of the axis of rotation X;

outer shell is comprised of two half-shells, whereby each half-shell isprovided with a reinforcing segment, whereby in turn a bore with a borebase is present inside each segment, and whereby the corresponding studpenetration the associated bore; and that

a pad encloses each stud and enters the respective bore as well, andwhereby, furthermore, the two pads are arranged insulated against eachother.

Useful further developments of the joint as defined by the invention,which is used particularly in systems for driving along the gudgeon in arail-borne vehicle, are also disclosed.

For assuring the permanent function, it is especially useful if the padconsisting of elastomeric material is initially tensioned in thedirection of the stud ends against the latter. This is made possible byarranging the half-shells out of center, which, when initially tensionedagainst each other, are then forming a closed ring.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

Now, the invention is explained in the following with the help ofexemplified embodiments and by reference to drawings, in which:

FIGS. 1 to 3 show three different views of a joint;

FIGS. 4 to 6 show three different views of a core with a stud;

FIGS. 7 to 9 show three different views of a half-shell with a bore;

FIG. 10 shows a joint with an additional sliding bush.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIGS. 1 to 3 show a joint 1, the cylindrical core 2 of which is providedwith the studs 3 and 4, which are arranged vertically at 180° inrelation to each other and extend in the direction of the axis ofrotation X. The cross section areas of these studs are substantiallycircular. The pads 11 and 12, which are made of elastomeric material,each almost completely surround in this connection the studs (FIG. 1) inthe form of cups (pots), whereby the ratio of the diameter “D” of thestuds and the layer thickness “S” of the pads amounts to

D:S=2:1 to 6:1.

The particularly useful parameters in this regard are as follows:

D:S=3:1 to 5:1, particularly 4:1.

Furthermore, it is useful if these pads, which each have a convex shape,are initially tensioned in the direction of the ends 5 and 6 by 10% to15%, in particular by 14%, of their layer thickness S.

The two pads 11 and 12 themselves are arranged insulated against eachother, as opposed to the pad construction according to DE 34 19 967 C2.

The novel construction of the core is particularly shown again opticallyin FIGS. 4 to 6.

According to FIGS. 1 to 3, the outer shell of the joint 1 is comprisedof the two half-shells 7 and 8, whereby their plane of separation Y(FIG. 2) is extending perpendicular to the axis of rotation X. Eachhalf-shell is provided in this connection with a reinforcing segment 9and 10, respectively.

Now, the details of the construction of the reinforcing segment 9 areshown on the half-shell 7 in FIGS. 7 to 9.

A bore 13 with the base 14 of the bore is present within the segment 9of the half-shell 7, whereby the base of the bore is forming theperipheral limitation of the outer shell. In this connection, the boreis arranged corresponding with the associated stud, whereby thecorresponding pad is received in the associated bore (FIG. 1).

Now, FIG. 10 shows a joint 15, whereby a sliding bush is inserted in theinterior of the core 2 perpendicular to the axis of rotation X forreceiving free of force in one direction a cylindrical component 17. Thecore 2 with the two studs 3 and 4 in anchored as an integrated part ofthe sliding bush by means of a ring flange 19. The sliding surface 20 islocated between the sliding bush and the cylindrical structuralcomponent.

The core 2 with the two studs 3 and 4 may be designed in the form of aspherical segment as well.

List of Reference Numerals and Letters 1 Joint (first exemplifiedembodiment) 2 Core 3 Stud 4 Stud 5 End of stud 6 End of stud 7 Outershell (half-shell) 8 Outer shell (half-shell) 9 Segment of half-shell 10Segment of half-shell 11 Pad made of elastomeric material 12 Pad made ofelastomeric material 13 Bore 14 Base of bore (peripheral limitation) 15Joint (second exemplified embodiment) 16 Sliding bush 17 Cylindricalstructural component 18 Anchoring element (anchoring ring) 19 Flange(ring flange) of sliding bush 20 Sliding surface D Stud diameter S Layerthickness of pad X Axis of rotation Y Plane of separation between thetwo half-shells

What is claimed is:
 1. A joint with an axis of rotation X, the jointcomprising: (a) a core made of metal or plastic; (b) two studs disposedon said core, wherein said studs are arranged vertically at 180° fromeach other, extend in a direction of the axis of rotation X, and have adiameter D; (c) an outer shell made of metal or plastic, said outershell comprising two half-shells; said two half-shells each comprising areinforcing segment; (d) a bore having a bore base disposed on each ofsaid reinforcing segments; and (e) two pads disposed between said coreand said outer shell, wherein said two pads are made of elastomericmaterial, have a cup-shaped contour, and have a thickness S; whereineach of said two studs penetrates said bore disposed on each of saidreinforcing segments; wherein each of said two pads surrounds one ofsaid two studs and is received in said bore; wherein said two pads arearranged insulated against one another; and wherein a ratio of saiddiameter D of said studs to said thickness S of said pads isapproximately 2:1 to 6:1.
 2. The joint according to claim 1, whereinsaid core has a cylindrical shape.
 3. The joint according to claim 1,wherein said two studs have a substantially circular cross sectionalshape.
 4. The joint according to claim 1, wherein a shape of an end ofsaid two studs is convex.
 5. The joint according to claim 1, wherein anend of said two studs and an associated bore base have a correspondingsurface structure.
 6. The joint according to claim 1, wherein a plane ofseparation Y of said the two half-shells extends perpendicular to theaxis of rotation X.
 7. The joint according to claim 1, wherein a ratioof said diameter D of said studs to said thickness S of said pads isapproximately 3:1 to 5:1.
 8. The joint according to claim 1, wherein aratio of said diameter D of said studs to said thickness S of said padsis approximately 4:1 D.
 9. The joint according to claim 1, wherein saidtwo pads are initially tensioned in a direction of an associated studends of said two studs by 10 to 15% of said thickness S.
 10. The jointaccording to claim 1, wherein said two pads are initially tensioned in adirection of an associated end of said two studs by 14% of saidthickness S.
 11. The joint according to claim 1, wherein a sliding bushfor receiving in one direction free of force a cylindrical structuralcomponent is inserted in an interior of said core perpendicular to theaxis of rotation X.
 12. The joint according to claim 11, wherein saidcore is anchored on said sliding bush as an integrated part of saidsliding bush by means of a flange and an anchoring element.